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Main view of Shirokanedai Sakurai, a Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo

Tokyo

Shirokanedai Sakurai

白金台 桜井

In a quiet residential corner of Tokyo, Shirokanedai Sakurai marks the debut of Chef Tomoki Sakurai, who, just shy of 30, brings a decade of rigorous training to his first restaurant. The hassun platter arrives like a theatrical stage, presenting the flavors and colors of the season. Soft-shelled turtle features in two signature dishes, first as a spring roll and later as a layered jelly. A Western-style sandwich mid-course offers a fun twist. With his father aiding by his side, Sakurai offers a cuisine that hints at how kaiseki may evolve while staying rooted in its origins.

Opened in February 2026, the restaurant is located between Shirokanedai, Meguro and Ebisu stations, tucked away from the busy streets. Inside, the air is warm and calm. A smooth hinoki counter is set around the open kitchen with seating for just eight guests. Appreciation for the seasons, a fundamental concept in Japanese culture, appears in the small details, from the noren curtain to the neatly placed napkins. From every seat, guests can observe Sakurai at work at the charcoal grill and the kamado stove, where each movement unfolds with precise craftsmanship.

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CUISINE

A Ritual of Seasons

The omakase follows a traditional kaiseki menu that changes monthly to capture the essence of the four seasons. The decorative hassun plate mirrors this theme through both ingredients and presentation. In March, the dish draws on Hina Matsuri, or Doll's Festival, with seasonal delicacies such as egg shinjo dumplings, smoked firefly squid and wild mountain vegetables. The arrangement is elegant and celebratory, inviting diners to experience spring with their eyes before the first bite.

The soft-shelled turtle spring roll is a signature dish here. The umami-rich meat is first simmered, then shredded and reduced into a dense filling, enriched with its own broth and flavored with ginger. The consommé is set into a delicate jelly, presented beautifully in a glass vessel, where the layered ingredients create a striking visual contrast.

The day’s soup features clams for the Doll's Festival, served with egg tofu, snow peas, radish and fukinoto. The broth is prepared with dried tuna flakes instead of the standard bonito. Sakurai notes that bonito can produce a certain acidity, so he prefers to use tuna for a clearer flavor.

The sandwich brings together Western and Japanese elements. The day’s dish features deep-fried Ise lobster and black truffle, set between soft slices of soy milk bread. The tartar sauce is made with Iburi-gakko pickled radish, bringing a subtle smokiness that ties the dish back to Japanese flavors.

To complement the cuisine, the chef offers a superb sake selection, including Kokuryu Hiirazu and Kokuryu Shizuku from Kokuryu Sake Brewing and Matsunotsukasa from Matsuse Sake Brewing.

INGREDIENTS
The soft-shelled turtle is sourced from Takeda Shoten at Toyosu Market, a supplier Sakurai describes as reliable and precise in its preparation. Many ingredients are selected directly from regional producers. From Shikoku, he procures seasonal products including wild mountain vegetables and natural sweetfish. The kombu for dashi comes from Rishiri and Rausu, while dried tuna flakes are sourced from Kyoto.

A dish from the cuisine at Shirokanedai Sakurai: A Ritual of Seasons #1
A dish from the cuisine at Shirokanedai Sakurai: A Ritual of Seasons #2

CHEF

Tomoki Sakurai

Tomoki Sakurai was born in Shiga Prefecture in 1996. As a student, he excelled in athletics, especially track and field. As graduation approached, he chose cooking as a career from a practical mindset. His decision was also influenced by his father, also a chef of Japanese cuisine.

His apprenticeship began at Shinohara, a renowned kaiseki restaurant in his home prefecture. He then moved to Kyoto to work at Gion Matayoshi before relocating to Tokyo to join Ginza Shinohara, where he spent the next eight years.

“Mr. Shinohara is the mentor who established the very backbone of my identity as a chef,” Sakurai says. “From him, I learned the importance of being humble and working diligently, day in and day out.”

He also spent six months studying Italian cuisine at In Bosco before striking out on his own to open Shirokanedai Sakurai in February 2026.

VISION
For Sakurai, opening his own restaurant marks the beginning of a longer path. He speaks of building a solid foundation, guided by the lessons he learned from his mentor, Takemasa Shinohara. He approaches his work with the belief that his craft is never complete and that his ongoing process is what encourages guests to return and follow that journey with him.

Tableware

From an early age, Sakurai collected tableware with the intention of opening his restaurant one day. Today, those pieces form part of the dining experience at Shirokanedai Sakurai, with each piece selected to fit the seasonal menu. He frequently visits Toki Etsuzan in Kyoto and Fukui to find new pieces. He particularly admires the work of Emiko Takigawa.

A 14th-century Goryeo tea bowl is displayed at the restaurant. The rare and valuable artifact was a gift from his grandparents, both teachers of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Crane-motif plates are used to serve dishes to guests. Each one is hand-painted, with the expression of the crane’s face differing slightly from plate to plate.

Course

Dinner
Shirokanedai Sakurai Omakase course
  • The price includes our booking fee of ¥8,000
  • The price includes our booking fee of ¥8,000
¥42,500
¥42,500
Reservation Request

Tokyo

Shirokanedai Sakurai

白金台 桜井

Map and access information for Shirokanedai Sakurai
PRICE
¥42,500
~
CHILD
10
& UP
MIN GUESTS
1
PERSON
~
GENRE
Kaiseki, Shirokanedai
ADDRESS
Barbizon 91 Building 1F, 5-11-3 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku Tokyo, Japan View on Google Maps
OPEN
6PM
CLOSED
Sundays
URL
NA
PHONE
NA

RESERVATION

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